Differential structural and resting state connectivity between insular subdivisions and other pain-related brain regions.

Functional neuroimaging studies suggest that the anterior, mid, and posterior division of the insula subserve different functions in the perception of pain. The anterior insula (AI) has predominantly been associated with cognitive-affective aspects of pain, while the mid and posterior divisions have been implicated in sensory-discriminative processing. We examined whether this functional segregation is paralleled by differences in (1) structural and (2) resting state connectivity and (3) in correlations with pain-relevant psychological traits. Analyses were restricted to the 3 insular subdivisions and other pain-related brain regions. Both type of analyses revealed largely overlapping results. The AI division was predominantly connected to the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (structural and resting state connectivity) and orbitofrontal cortex (structural connectivity). In contrast, the posterior insula showed strong connections to the primary somatosensory cortex (SI; structural connectivity) and secondary somatosensory cortex (SII; structural and resting state connectivity). The mid insula displayed a hybrid connectivity pattern with strong connections with the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, SII (structural and resting state connectivity) and SI (structural connectivity). Moreover, resting state connectivity revealed strong connectivity of all 3 subdivisions with the thalamus. On the behavioural level, AI structural connectivity was related to the individual degree of pain vigilance and awareness that showed a positive correlation with AI-amygdala connectivity and a negative correlation with AI-rostral anterior cingulate cortex connectivity. In sum, our findings show a differential structural and resting state connectivity for the anterior, mid, and posterior insula with other pain-relevant brain regions, which might at least partly explain their different functional profiles in pain processing.

Habituation to pain: further support for a central component.

Habituation to repetitive painful stimulation may represent an important protection mechanism against the development of chronic pain states. However, the exact neurobiological mechanisms of this phenomenon remain unclear. In this study we (i) explore the somatotopic specificity of pain attenuation over time and (ii) investigate the role of the endogenous opioid system in its development. We investigated 24 healthy volunteers with a paradigm of daily painful stimulation of the left volar forearm for 1 week. Habituation was assessed by comparing pain-related responses (ratings and thresholds) between days 1 and 8. To test whether a repetition-dependent attenuation of pain is restricted to the site of stimulus application or induces additional systemic effects indicative of a central mechanism, we also measured pain-related responses at the contralateral arm and the left leg. To assess the role of the endogenous opioid system in this mechanism, we used the opioid-receptor antagonist naloxone in a double-blind design. Repetitive painful stimulation over several days resulted in a significant habituation to pain at the site of daily stimulation. In addition, we also observed significant pain attenuation at the non-stimulated limbs. This effect was less pronounced at the untreated arm compared to the treated arm and even weaker in the leg, displaying a significant Stimulation-Site x Time interaction. The development of pain habituation was unaffected by the opioid antagonist naloxone. Taken together, these results strongly support the role of central components in the mechanism of pain habituation that do not directly involve the endogenous opioid system.

Continuous brachial plexus blockade in combination with the NMDA receptor antagonist memantine prevents phantom pain in acute traumatic upper limb amputees.

BACKGROUND: Hyperexcitability of N-methyl-d-aspartate acid (NMDA) receptors may play an important role in the development of phantom limb pain (PLP). AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate whether early treatment with the NMDA antagonist memantine attenuates phantom pain memory formation in traumatic amputees. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial 19 patients with acute traumatic amputation of the upper extremity were investigated. All patients received postoperative analgesia by continuous brachial plexus anesthesia (ropivacaine 0.375% 5 ml/h) for at least 7 days. In addition, the patients received either memantine (20-30 mg daily, n=10) or placebo (n=9) for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Memantine treatment reduced the number of requested ropivacacine bolus injections during the first week and resulted in a significant decrease of PLP prevalence and intensity at 4 weeks and 6 months follow up, but not at 12 months follow up. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that memantine can reduce intensity of phantom limb pain and might also prevent the development of PLP. However, despite the very early begin of treatment; no long-term effect on established PLP was evident.

The effect of undersowing cabbage with white clover on thrips infestation and flight activity.

In 2001-2003, the levels of infestation of thrips in cabbage monocrops and cabbage/white clover intercrops were compared. The flight activity of thrips was monitored using blue sticky traps and white water traps to obtain a better understanding of population dynamics of thrips. Plant samples were taken to record the number of thrips on cabbage. Over the years of observations, the highest number of thrips was collected in blue sticky traps on cabbage undersown with white clover. In the period from 15th June to 5th July 2001, the number of thrips collected in blue sticky traps in the monocropped cultivation and intercrops with white clover was on similar low levels. Next, the number suddenly increased to 372 thrips/trap in monocropped cultivation and 509 thrips/trap in the intercropped cultivation. During the period of the highest peak of thrips activity, which was on 17th July, there were 650 thrips/trap and nearly the same number was noticed for both types of cultivations. After this period, until the end of vegetation, the greater number of thrips was noticed for the traps placed in the intercrops. Additionally, in 2001 the thrips were collected in white water traps. Using this type of traps, 480 total thrips/trap were collected in the monocropped cultivation and 819/thrips/trap in the intercrops during the whole vegetation season. The percentage participation of Thrips tabaci Lind. caught in white water traps was 24.4% in the monocropped cultivation and 15.4% in the intercrops. In 2002, during the period from the middle of June to the third decade of July, significantly higher number of thrips was collected in blue sticky traps placed in the cabbage with white clover. The number of thrips collected during the period of the mass flights, which means in the first decade of July was over twice as many thrips in the traps placed in the intercropped cultivation (1316 thrips/trap) as in the monocropped cultivation (589 thrips/trap). In 2003, during the whole vegetation period, the number of thrips collected in blue sticky traps placed on the plots where cabbage was cultivated with white clover was evidently higher. In this year two peaks of the thrips flight activity were recorded: the first on 16th July and the second on 5th August. On both occassions, the number of thrips collected in blue sticky traps placed in the intercropped cultivations was about twice as high as in the monoculture cultivation. In 2001-2003, the thrips feeding on cabbage in the monocropped and intercropped cultivations were observed mainly in July and once again in August. The number of thrips on cabbage was low, only in 2002 this number was higher. In 2001, the number of thrips on cabbage in both types of cultivations was on similar level. The highest number of thrips was observed during the peak of thrips flight activity, which was in the middle of July. In years 2002-2003, despite the higher number of thrips collected in blue sticky traps placed in the intercropped cultivations, the number of pests collected from the cabbage undersown with white clover was lower than in the monocropped cultivation. In 2002, the period of the most intensive occurrence of thrips on cabbage was overlapping with the period of mass flight activity of thrips. During this period, a little higher number of thrips was noticed on cabbage in the intercropped cultivation (3.4 thrips/plant) than in the monocropped cultivation (3.2 thrips/plant). In 2003, the highest number of thrips on cabbage in both types of cultivations was noticed before the first significant peak of thrips flight activity. Whereas in the first decade of August, when the same high number of thrips collected in blue sticky traps was again noticed, no increase in the number of thrips feeding on cabbage was observed in both type of cultivations. Over all years of observations, despite the higher number of thrips collected in blue sticky traps in the intercropped cultivation, this number was always lower on the cabbage undersown with white clover. The most dominant species in both cultivations was Thrips tabaci Lind. Its percentage participation in the collected material was 83.1% in the monocropped cultivation and 76.6% in the intercropped cultivation.

Phantom limb pain: a report of two cases.

The efficacy of pre-emptive analgesia for phantom limb pain is still unclear. It is generally accepted that pre hyphen;amputation pain increases the incidence of phantom and stump pain, even if pre-emptive analgesia is performed before and during surgery and in the postoperative period. Two cases of traumatic upper limb amputations are described here with no pre-existing pain. Both received similar antinociceptive treatment by continuous block of the brachial plexus through infusion of ropivacaine 0.375% at 5 ml/h for 10 days. Treatment of case 1 was initiated immediately after surgery; however, this amputee developed intensive phantom limb pain which persisted at 6 months. Early use of the prosthesis after surgery was not possible for this patient. The intensity of phantom limb pain in case 2 decreased significantly after 6 months, even though brachial plexus blockade was not started until 5 weeks post-trauma. This patient used a functional prosthesis intensively beginning early after amputation. Serial magnetoencephalographic recordings were performed in both patients. Only case 2 showed significant changes of cortical reorganization. In case 1 markedly less cortical plasticity was found. A combination of relevant risk factors such as a painful neuroma, behavioural and cognitive coping strategies and the early functional use of prostheses are discussed as important mechanisms contributing to the development of phantom pain and cortical reorganization.

Dynamic organization of the somatosensory cortex induced by motor activity.

Intensive and long-lasting experience of altered sensory input induces permanent changes in the functional organization of the somatosensory cortex. In addition, an increasing body of evidence suggests the existence of dynamic, short-term and task-dependent adaptation of representational maps within somatosensory cortex. It is hypothesized that somatosensory maps can, not only, be acquired within a short period of time, but might also be set up during periods of training related to specific tasks and subsequently activated dynamically upon performance of that particular task. In order to test this hypothesis we studied the functional organization of somatosensory cortex for a heavily overlearned and frequently performed task for which no new acquisition of a sensory map had to be assumed. To this end, the functional organization of somatosensory cortex for handwriting was compared with the organization during rest in healthy humans. Functional organization of the somatosensory cortex was assessed using non-invasive, neuromagnetic source imaging based on tactile stimulation of the thumb (D1) and little finger (D5) during writing and rest. In different blocks, subjects wrote with their right, dominant and their left hand, respectively. During writing, D1 and D5 of the writing hand were stimulated. To test the reliability of our results all measurements were repeated after 1 week. It was found that amplitudes of somatosensory evoked magnetic fields with latencies of 45 ms were reduced during writing compared with rest. This finding is in accordance with the sensorimotor gating effect. Using source localization we could show that cortical representations of D1 and D5 are more distant during writing with either hand compared with rest. Our data suggest that somatosensory cortical maps undergo rapid modulation depending on task-specific involvement of sensory processing in daily-life overlearned movements. As it is unlikely that a new sensory map is always acquired when a frequently used task such as writing is performed, we suggest that somatosensory cortex switches between different, concurrently pre-existing maps depending on actual requirements. Task-dependent activation of pre-existing maps might be a powerful mechanism to optimize stimulus processing.

[Neural networks and pain processing. New insights from imaging techniques]. / Neuronale Netzwerke und Schmerzverarbeitung. Ergebnisse bildgebender Verfahren.

Imaging techniques with high spatial and temporal resolution (PET,fMRI, MEG) provide detailed information about the brains' processing of pain. Structures detected by these techniques are not understood as pain centers but as nodal points of a dynamic network which is influenced by physiological and psychological input. Imaging techniques can be used for the investigation of different pain components. The neuronal network that encodes sensory-discriminative information consists of the primary and secondary somatosensory cortex which receive input from lateral thalamic nuclei. Information for the affective pain component reach the anterior cingulate cortex, insula and prefrontal cortex via medial thalamic nuclei. Until now only little is known about cortical structures mediating the cognitive pain component. In chronic pain the cortical and subcortical processing of nociceptive input is presumably modified. Reorganization in the primary somatosensory cortex is presented as an example of neuronal plasticity induced by chronic pain.

Low-dose oral clonidine as premedication before intraocular surgery in retrobulbar anesthesia.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether low-dosed oral clonidine premedication before elective intraocular surgery in retrobulbar anesthesia is effective in terms of anxiolysis, sedation, stable hemodynamics, lower intraocular pressure and perioperative endocrine stress response. METHODS: In a prospective, randomised, double-blind study, 44 patients scheduled for elective intraocular surgery received either 0.15 mg clonidine (n=22) or a matched placebo (n=22) orally 60 minutes before retrobulbar anesthesia. The main study parameters were sedation, anxiolysis, hemodynamics and intraocular pressure. Additionally, mediators of endocrine stress responses were measured five times, in 13 patients after clonidine and 12 after placebo. RESULTS: After clonidine 86% of the patients showed sedation and after placebo 90.9% showed no sedation (p<0.01). Clonidine produced effective anxiolysis (Erlanger-Anxiety-Scale: 31.6 +/- 2.6 points vs. 38.1 +/- 8.5 points) before the operation (p<0.01). Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower after clonidine. Effects on mean and diastolic blood pressure were small but statistically significant. Norepinephrine and cortisol plasma concentrations were significantly lower after clonidine. Intraocular pressure was significantly lower too (p<0.05). No clinically relevant adverse effects were observed e.g. inappropriate sedation, hypotension (<100 mmHg), bradycardia (<50 bpm) or hypoxemia (SpO2<90%). CONCLUSIONS: Oral low-dose clonidine produces light sedation, significant anxiolysis and stable hemodynamics, and attenuates the endocrine response to perioperative stress. Thus, clonidine seems sufficient to increase patient comfort for intraocular surgery and might even offer clinically worthwhile benefits such as stable hemodynamics and a reduced response to perioperative stress.

Cortical reorganization after digit-to-hand replantation.

Functional recovery after digit-to-hand replantation depends on the interaction of various factors. In addition to peripheral mechanisms, cortical and subcortical reorganization of digit representation may play a substantial role in the recovery process. However, cortical processes during the first months after replantation are not well understood. In this 25-year-old man who had traumatically lost digits II to V (DII-V) on his right hand, the authors used magnetoencephalographic source imaging to document the recovery of somatosensory cortical responses after tactile stimulation at four sites on the replanted digits. Successful replantation of DIV and DV was accomplished at the original position of DIII and DIV with mixed innervation. Cortical evoked fields could be recorded starting from the 10th week after digit-to-hand replantation. Initially, signals from all sites showed decreased amplitudes and prolonged latencies. In the subsequent six recordings obtained between the 12th and 55th week postreplantation, a continuous increase in amplitude but only a slight recovery of latencies were observed. Components of the recorded somatosensory evoked fields were localized in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI). The localizations of the replanted DIV showed a gradual lateral-inferior shift in the somatosensory cortex over time, indicating cortical reorganization caused by altered peripheral input. The authors infer from this shift that the original cortical area of the missing finger (DII) was taken over by the replanted finger. From these data the authors conclude that magnetic source imaging might be a reliable noninvasive method to evaluate surgical nerve repair and that cortical reorganization of SI is involved in the regeneration process following peripheral nerve injury.

Neuroimaging of chronic pain: phantom limb and musculoskeletal pain.

New developments in brain imaging lead to a better understanding of cortical and subcortical processes involved in pain perception and the establishment of chronic pain. For different forms of chronic pain long-term changes in cortical structures have been described. In patients with phantom limb pain and back pain alterations in the somatotopic organization of the primary somatosensory (SI) could be observed. The amount of this reorganization is correlated with the subjective pain rating. These changes, which are based on processes of neuronal plasticity, can partially be reversed by analgesic interventions. For the investigation of cortical processes concerning reorganization, EEG and MEG methods are most suitable because of their high temporal and spatial resolution. In conclusion, these findings open a new way for therapeutic interventions to prevent the development of chronic pain.

[Recording of atrial and ventricular signal averaged ECGs in patients with mitral valve prolapse syndrome]. / Rejestracja usrednionego sygnalu przedsionkowego i komorowego u chorych z wypadaniem platka zastawki mitralnej.

The aim of the study was to assess the time-domain parameters of atrial signal-averaged ECG (ASAECG) and ventricular signal-averaged ECG (SAECG) in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and healthy ones. Fifty patients with MVP (15 men, 35 women, mean age--37.1 +/- 8.9 years) and 50 healthy controls (36 men, 14 women, mean age 38.2 +/- 4.7 years) were studied). The following time-domain parameters of ASAECG were analysed: the root mean square voltage of the terminal 10, 20, 30 ms of filtered P wave (RMS10, 20, 30) and the total duration of filtered P wave (PWD). The atrial late potentials (ALP) were defined as the presence: RMS10 < 4 microV i PWD > 123 ms. As the time-domain parameters of SAECG we analysed: the root mean square voltage of the terminal 40, 50 ms of the filtered QRS (RMS 40, 50), the total filtered QRS duration (t-QRS) and the low-amplitude signal duration < 40 microV in the terminal QRS (LPD). The ventricular late potentials (VLP) were defined as the presence of at least two of the following criteria: t-QRS > 114 ms, RMS 40 < 20 microV i LPD > 38 ms. There was no difference in the time-domain parameters of ASAECG between patients with MVP and controls: RMS 10: 4.5 +/- 1.8 microV vs 4.8 +/- 1.9 microV, RMS 20: 6.3 +/- 2.2 microV vs 6.1 +/- 2.2 microV, RMS 30: 8.3 +/- 2.5 microV vs 7.1 +/- 2.7 microV and PWD 113 +/- 11.7 ms vs 116 +/- 15.2 ms, respectively. Three patients with MVP (6%) and 5 controls (10%) revealed ALP. THE time-domain parameters of SAECG did not differ in patients with MVP and controls: RMS 40: 40.2 +/- 29.1, microV vs 35.5 +/- 18.2 microV, RMS 50: 68.2 +/- 40.1 microV vs 64.4 +/- 33.6 microV and t-QRS-101.4 +/- 10.7 ms vs 101.8 +/- 10.9 ms i LPD--28.7 +/- 10.0 ms vs 28.3 +/- 10.0 ms, respectively. VLP were found in 7 patients with MVP (14%) and 5 controls (10%). Our findings suggest that time-domain parameters of ASAECG and SAECG could not differentiate patients with MVP and healthy ones. Moreover, the presence of ALP and VLP in MVP group did not correlate with supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias recorded on ambulatory ECG.

[The effect of long term use of amiodarone hydrochloride on time and frequency domain parameters of signal averaged electrocardiogram in patients with ischemia heart disease]. / Wplyw przewlekle stosowanego chlorowodorku amiodaronu na parametry czasowe i czestotliwosc elektrokardiogramu wysokiego wzmocnienia u chorych na chorobe niedokrwienna serca.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of amiodarone hydrochloride on time- and frequency-domain parameters of signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) in patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD). The study population consisted of 33 patients (18 female and 15 male), mean age 59.2 +/- 7.7. Amiodarone hydrochloride was orally used in the initial dose 600 mg/day for 10 days, and subsequently 200 mg/days for 6 weeks. Recording of SAECG and ambulatory Holter monitoring were made at baseline and in 10 day and after 6 weeks of therapy. The following time-domain parameters were analyzed: the root mean square voltage of the last 40 and 50 ms of the filtered QRS (RMS40 i RMS50), total time duration of filtered QRS (t-QRS) and duration of low amplitude signals < 40 microV in the terminal part of QRS (LPD). Late potentials (LP) were recognized when at least two from three criteria were fulfilled: 1) RMS40 < 20 microV, 2) t-QRS > 114 ms, 3) LPD > 38 ms. Frequency analysis of SAECG allowed to calculate the following parameters in logarithmic scale: energy spectrum > -60 dB (A) and decibel drop at 40Hz (Dd) and also in linear scale: area ratio 20-50/0-20Hz (Ar) and magnitude ratio (MR1-7). The values of RMS40 and RMS50 did not significantly change during amiodarone therapy. The obtained values of t-QRS were significantly longer after antiarrhythmic therapy, respectively 97.8 +/- 9.1 ms at the baseline, 102.1 +/- 10 ms after 10 days (p < 0.05), and 104.1 +/- 10.4 ms after 6 weeks (p < 0.005). Moreover the values of LPD did not significantly change after amiodarone treatment. At the baseline the presence of LP were observed in 3 (9%), after 10 days were recorded in 8 (24%), and after 6 weeks in 7 (22%) cases. Only in one case the LP were observed during the whole antiarrhythmic therapy. Moreover, amiodarone hydrochloride did not statistically significant change frequency-domain parameters in logarithmic scale and in linear scale.

[Significance of atrial signal-averaged electrocardiogram analysis in diagnosis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with mitral valve prolapse syndrome]. / Znaczenie analizy usrednionego sygnalu przedsionkowego w diagnostyce napadowego migotania przedsionków u chorych z wypadaniem platka zastawki dwudzielnej.

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical usage of recording time-domain parameters of atrial signal-averaged electrocardiogram (ASAECG) in diagnosis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) of patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP). 85 patients with MVP recognized by echocardiography were divided into two groups: group I (MVP-PAG/+/) 41 pts (15 male and 26 female) mean age 37.1 +/- 8.9 with previously electrocardiographically documented episode of PAF, group II (MVP-PAF/-/) 44 pts (20 male, 24 female) mean age 39.1 +/- 14.3 without PAF. The control group III consisted of 35 persons: 24 male and 11 female in mean age 37.7 +/- 6.2 without any cardiovascular diseases. All patients underwent additional investigations included: T3, T4, electrocardiography, exercise-test with moving "running track", 24-hours monitoring ECG with Holter's method and ASAECG recording. The following time-domain parameters of ASAECG were calculated: the root mean square voltage of the terminal 10, 20, 30 ms of the filtered P-wave (RMS 10, 20, 30) and total time duration of filtered P-wave (PWD). The adaptation of time-domain parameters of atrial signal-average in differential diagnostics of PAF during MVP has appeared as useless from clinical point of view.

[Transient myocardial ischemia in patients after myocardial infarction and late cell potentials]. / Przejsciowe niedokrwienie u chorych po zawale miesnia sercowego a pózne potencjaly komorowe.

The role of myocardial ischaemia in the development of late potentials (LP) on the signal-averaged ECG (SAECG) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains controversial. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of transient, scintigraphically-proven (Tc-99mMI-BI), exercise-induced ischaemia on the presence of LP in 51 pts with angiographically documented CAD. Patients were divided into 2 groups: 26 pts (mean age 53 +/- 7.7) without the history of myocardial infarction (MI) (Group I) and 25 pts (mean age 56.8 +/- 6.4) after MI (Group II). SAECG recording were performed at baseline (A) and during exercise-induced ischaemia (B). The following time-domain parameters of SAECG were analyzed: the root mean square voltage of the last 40 and 50 ms of filtered QRS (RMS40, 50), total time duration of filtered QRS (t0QRS) and time duration potentials < 40 microV (LPD). The ventricular late potentials (LP) were defined as the presence of at least two of the following criteria: tQRS > 114 ms, RMS 40 < 20 mV and LPD > 38 ms. We conclude that transient exercise-induced ischaemia increased the presence of LP in pts with CAD after MI but did not alter the arrhythmogenic substrate for LP in those without the history of MI.

[The effect of sotalol hydrochloride therapy on atrial signal-averaged ECG in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation]. / Wplyw chlorowodorku sotalolu na usredniony sygnal przedsionkowy u chorych z napadowym migotaniem przedsionków.

The aim of this study was to evaluate of oral sotalol hydrochloride effects on atrial signal-averaged ECG (ASAECG) during time- and frequency-domain analysis in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) during ischemic heart disease (IHD). The study population of 27 was composed of 16 female and 11 male, mean age 56.1 +/- 8.4. The dose of oral sotalol was 160 mg/day for all days. Recording of ASAECG and 24-hours Holter monitoring were made at baseline, after 10 days and after 6 weeks of sotalol therapy. For ASAECG were calculated time-domain parameters: the root mean square voltage of the signals in the last 10, 20, 30 ms of the filtered P-wave (RMS 10, 20, 30) and total time duration of filtered P-wave (PWD) and time duration of P-wave for Frank leads X, Y, Z (XP, YP, ZP). During frequency-domain analysis of the terminal part of P-wave we calculated the following parameters in range from 40 Hz to 400 Hz: energy spectrum > -60 dB (A) and decibel drop at 40 Hz (Dd) in logarithmic scale and area ratio 20-50/0-20 Hz (Ar), magnitude ratio (MR1-7) in linear scale for a vector magnitude. Supraventriculat arrhythmias were estimated quantitatively and qualitatively during Holter monitoring. The following parameters were estimated in a case of PAF recording: time of manifestation, duration, number of PAF episodes per day, mean heart rate during PAF and subjective symptoms. Moreover, comparable analysis of the following parameters: dimension of left atrial, age, gender, time duration of IHD and PAF and wall motion disturbances-hypokinesis and also left ventricular ejection fraction, mitral regurgitation was done between patients with effective and no effective of antiarrhythmic therapy. Our observation have indicated that oral sotalol therapy are responsible for statistically significant decrease of total time duration of filtered P-wave (PWD) and time duration of P-wave for Frank leads X, Y, Z (XP, YP, ZP) and increase area ratio 20-50/0-20 Hz in patients with PAF during IHD. Moreover, comparable analysis of above-mentioned parameters have not showed statistically significant differences between examined patients with effective and lack of effective sotalol therapy.

[The effect of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during ischemic heart disease on parameters of atrial signal-averaged electrocardiography]. / Wplyw czasu trwania napadowego migotania przedsionków w przebiegu choroby niedokrwiennej serca na parametry usrednionego sygnalu przedsionkowego.

The aim of this study was assess the correlation between duration of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) during ischemic heart disease (IHD) and atrial signal-averaged electrocardiogram (ALP). The study population consisted of 75 patients with PAF during IHD whose were divided according to duration of PAF into three groups; gr. I- < 1 year, gr. II-1-5 years, gr. III- > 5 years. The control group (gr. IV) composed of 50 healthy. Recording of ALP were carried out by HIPEC-200 HA. We calculated time domain parameters of ALP; root mean square voltage of the signals in the last 10, 20 and 30 ms of the filtered P-wave and filtered P-wave duration. During frequency analysis of ALP we calculated frequency parameters in range from 40 to 400 Hz in linear scale; area ratio 20-50/0-20 Hz and marked the highest peak amplitude of signals and in logarithmic scale; defined energy spectra of frequency component > -60 dB and value of frequency component 40 Hz. Our results suggest that: 1. The values of root mean square voltage of the signals in the last 10 ms of the filtered P-wave have been decreasing according to passage of duration PAF. 2. Patients with longer anamnesis of PAF have had longer duration of filtered P-wave. 3. Proposed parameters of frequency analysis of ALP in both scales (linear and logarithmic) seemed useless in differential diagnosis of patients with PAF during IHD and healthy.

[Effect of intravenous propafenone on maintenance of atrial signal-averaged ECG in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation]. / Wplyw podanego dozylnie chlorowodorku propafenonu na usredniony sygnal przedsionkowy u chorych z napadowym migotaniem przedsionków.

The aim of this study was evaluation of intravenous propafenone hydrochloride effects on maintenance of atrial signal-averaged ECG (ASAECG) during time-domain and frequency-domain analyses in patients paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) accompanying ischemic heart disease (IHD). The study population of 20 patients included 12 women and 8 men (mean age 58.8 +/- 8.9). For ASAECG were calculated time-domain parameters: the root mean square voltage of the signals in the last 10, 20, 30 ms of the filtered P-wave (RMS 10, 20, 30) and duration of filtered P-wave (PWD). During frequency-domain analysis of the terminal part of P-wave the following parameters were calculated in the range from 40 Hz to 400 Hz: energy spectrum > -60 dB (A, YA) and decibel drop at 40 Hz (Dd, YDd) in logarithmic scale and area ratio 20-50/0-20 Hz (Ar, YAr), peak (P1-7, YP1-7), magnitude ratio (MR1-7, YMP1-7) in linear scale for a vector magnitude and Frank lead Y. Time-domain analysis of ASAECG did not show any significant changes--RMS10 increased from 5.2 +/- 2.5 microV to 5.9 +/- 2.6 microV, RMS20 from 6.9 +/- 3.4 microV to 7.3 +/- 2.5 microV and RMS30 from 8.4 +/- 3.1 microV to 8.5 +/- 2.2 microV after propafenone. Duration of filtered P-wave (PWD) increased from 125.1 +/- 21.9 ms to 128.4 +/- 22.7 ms (p > 0.05). During frequency-domain analysis both in linear and logarithmic scales no any significant differences after administration of propafenone were noted. The obtained results have indicated that intravenous propafenone hydrochloride did not change significantly time-domain and frequency-domain parameters of ASAECG in patients with PAF during IHD.

[Effect of propafenone hydrochloride on atrial signal-averaged ECG in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation]. / Wplyw chlorowodorku propafenonu na usredniony sygnal przedsionkowy u chorych z napadowym mitgotaniem przedsionków.

Oral propafenone hydrochloride effect was studied on atrial signal-averaged ECG (ASAECG) during time- and frequency-domain analysis in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) during ischemic heart disease (IHD). The study comprised 26 patients (15 female and 11 male) mean age 60.8 +/- 6.2. The dose of oral propafenone was 450 mg/day for all days. Recording of ASAECG and 24-hours Holter monitoring were made at baseline, after 10 days and after 6 weeks of propafenone therapy. Time-domain parameters were calculated for ASAECG: the root mean square voltage of the signals in the last 10, 20, 30 ms of the filtered P-wave (RMS 10, 20, 30) and total time duration of filtered P-wave (PWD) and time duration of P-wave for Frank leads X, Y, Z (XP, YP, ZP). During frequency-domain analysis of the terminal part of P-wave the following parameters were calculated in range from 40 Hz to 400 Hz: energy spectrum > -60 dB (A) and decibel drop at 4 Hz (Dd) in logarithmic scale and area ratio 20-50/0-20 Hz (Ar), magnitude ratio (MR1-7) in linear scale for a vector magnitude. Supraventricular arrhythmias were estimated quantitatively and qualitatively by Holter monitoring. The following parameters were estimated in a case of PAF recording: time of manifestation, duration, number of PAF episodes per day, mean heart rate during PAF and subjective symptoms. Moreover, comparable analysis of the following parameters: dimension of left atrial, age, sex, time duration of IHD and PAF and wall motion disturbances--hypokinesis and also left ventricular ejection fraction, mitral regurgitation was done between patients with effective and no effective of antiarrhythmic therapy. Our observation have indicated that oral propafenone therapy does not influence any statistically significant differences all time- and frequency-domain parameters of ASAECG in patients with PAF during IHD. Moreover, comparable analysis of above mentioned parameters has not showed statistically significant differences between examined patients with effective and lack of effective propafenone therapy.